5 coolest things we've seen at CES so far

Suitcases with a camera that follows you, so you don't have to drag them, and voice-activated shower and makeup mirrors highlight the five coolest things we saw so far at CES 2018.

LAS VEGAS —Leave it to CES to show us something we never knew we really wanted.

Like in suitcases that roll automatically. As in, you don't have to grab onto them to drag them anymore, just instead let the camera sensor from inside the bag learn who the owner is, and then follow you around the airport, hands free.

How cool is that?

A Chinese company named Forward X brought the "self-driving" CX-1 suitcases to the Sunday CES Unveiled gathering, a sneak peek at new products that will be displayed beginning Tuesday when the trade show floors officially open.

The bags feature gesture control sensors and a maximum speed of 7 miles per hour. No pricing has been announced for the bags, although the company says they will be competitive, and the bags are expected to go on sale in August.

The bags top my list of the five coolest things we've seen so far at CES. Here's the rest:

Alexa in the bathroom

Moen's bathroom technology brings Alexa voice assist to turning on the morning shower. Starting at $1,200, it will be released in the spring.(Photo: Jefferson Graham/USA TODAY)

Mirror mirror on the wall, turn on your lights Alexa, and make me look beautiful. OK, that's not the command for Kohler's new $1,200 mirror, which can be personalized for illumination, while shining less brightly for tasks like shaving or brushing teeth. But that's the idea.

More useful, seemingly, is Moen's new digital shower technology that uses a voice command, "Alexa, tell Moen to start my shower at 98 degrees," to turn on the water at the right temperature, without having to wait for it to warm up.

Moen's technology starts at $1,200. The company justifies the pricing by saying the personalized temp control is something you couldn't get the old-fashioned way, and you'll save water costs by not waiting for it to warm up.

A better handheld scanner

The Pup photo scanner is a tiny, handheld scanner selling for $299. It will be released in the spring.(Photo: Jefferson Graham/USA TODAY)

The Pup Pocket Scanner hails from France, where a tiny $299 scanner half the size of a smartphone is targeted to folks who are tired of low-resolution scans from their smartphone. You can scan business cards, documents and the like and the quality looked really good.

A cheaper way to e-bike

The Electron wheel "electrifies" a normal bike and turns it into an e-bike for $799. It will be released in February.(Photo: Steve Elfers/USA TODAY)

The Electron wheel aims to retrofit your current bike to go longer distances and up hills for $799, which the company says is half the price of a good e-bike. The wheel, out in February, promises installation in 30 seconds or less, so we had a company rep prove it. Watch the accompanying video to see him pull it off.

LED sleep mask

The Dreamlight sleep mask wraps around the face, and has light color LEDs that are intended to help you sleep. It will sell for $100 when it goes on sale later this year.(Photo: Steve Elfers/USA TODAY)

Finally, the coolest and strangest thing we saw at CES 2018 yet was the $100 Dreamlight Sleep Mask. It's a larger sleep mask than you've probably seen before, and comes with LED lights that emit orange light as you're trying to fall asleep. The company says the colors will help you catch some shut-eye quicker, and we have to admit, we got a little woozy just trying it on. The company is putting the mask on crowd-funding site IndieGogo in the spring for sales.

Tomer Yehezkel takes part in a virtual reality demonstration in the automotive area of the Samsung display a the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY NETWORK

Stream TV, based in Philadelphia, showed off their Ultra 3D technology at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The Stream TV 3D does not require the viewer to wear glasses or goggles and provides content conversion from any 2D or 3D source. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY NETWORK

The Tainerz, a rap and dance group from New Orleans, entertain a large crowd at the Monster display at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY NETWORK

ProGlove is a smart glove that features sensors and scanners embedded in them. The company says the ProGlove will allow manufacturing and logistics staff to work faster and more safely.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY

The Mito underwater drone is demonstrated at the Navatics display. The Mito can be used at depths up to130 feet, with a 2 hour run time and has video recording and live-streaming capabilities. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY

Orbit is one of several companies showing off bluetooth tracking products and apps. Orbit gives users the ability to find keys, wallets, glasses and other personal items at the touch of a button your connected device. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY

Orbit is one of several companies showing off bluetooth tracking products and apps. Orbit gives users the ability to find keys, wallets, glasses and other personal items at the touch of a button your connected device. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY

A new app for the Litter-Robot Open Air, an automatic self-cleaning litter box, is demonstrated. The app will allow pet owners to receive status notifications, monitor litter box usage and view the waste drawer level. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY

Retired astronaut Captain Scott Kelly talked to a large crowd at the Nikon display. Kelly is an avid photographer and is one of several guest lectures Nikon has scheduled for CES. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY

Jeffrey Levy demonstrates the Coravin Wine Preservation Opener. The product allows users to pour wine without removing the cork preserving the rest of the bottle for weeks, months or years according to time company. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY

Drone pilot Travis Ames demonstrates an aircraft during the annual during the Drone Rodeo held annually the day before the start of the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas. Drone Shark is showing off their first drone, which will be sold in a complete kit for $249. The Drone Rodeo brings together manufacturers, pilots, media and drone enthusiasts where they can get a close up look at new drones and technology. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY

Austin Yu, of Neofect, shows off the company's Rafael Smart Glove a device with movement and position sensors on the fingers and wrists to help patients with rehabilitation. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY

The 2018 Consumer Electronics Show is expected to as many as 175,000 people to Las Vegas, to see the latest in new gadgets, TVs, cars and the like. Companies exhibiting include Sony, Google and Samsung. The show starts Tuesday, Jan. 9. Jefferson Graham, USA TODAY

The 2018 Consumer Electronics Show is expected to as many as 175,000 people to Las Vegas, to see the latest in new gadgets, TVs, cars and the like. Companies exhibiting include Sony, Google and Samsung. The show starts Tuesday, Jan. 9. Jefferson Graham, USA TODAY

The 2018 Consumer Electronics Show is expected to as many as 175,000 people to Las Vegas, to see the latest in new gadgets, TVs, cars and the like. Companies exhibiting include Sony, Google and Samsung. The show starts Tuesday, Jan. 9. Jefferson Graham, USA TODAY

The 2018 Consumer Electronics Show is expected to as many as 175,000 people to Las Vegas, to see the latest in new gadgets, TVs, cars and the like. Companies exhibiting include Sony, Google and Samsung. The show starts Tuesday, Jan. 9. Jefferson Graham, USA TODAY

The 2018 Consumer Electronics Show is expected to as many as 175,000 people to Las Vegas, to see the latest in new gadgets, TVs, cars and the like. Companies exhibiting include Sony, Google and Samsung. The show starts Tuesday, Jan. 9. Jefferson Graham, USA TODAY

The 2018 Consumer Electronics Show is expected to as many as 175,000 people to Las Vegas, to see the latest in new gadgets, TVs, cars and the like. Companies exhibiting include Sony, Google and Samsung. The show starts Tuesday, Jan. 9. Jefferson Graham, USA TODAY

The 2018 Consumer Electronics Show is expected to as many as 175,000 people to Las Vegas, to see the latest in new gadgets, TVs, cars and the like. Companies exhibiting include Sony, Google and Samsung. The show starts Tuesday, Jan. 9. Jefferson Graham, USA TODAY

The 2018 Consumer Electronics Show is expected to as many as 175,000 people to Las Vegas, to see the latest in new gadgets, TVs, cars and the like. Companies exhibiting include Sony, Google and Samsung. The show starts Tuesday, Jan. 9. Jefferson Graham, USA TODAY

The 2018 Consumer Electronics Show is expected to as many as 175,000 people to Las Vegas, to see the latest in new gadgets, TVs, cars and the like. Companies exhibiting include Sony, Google and Samsung. The show starts Tuesday, Jan. 9. Jefferson Graham, USA TODAY